How to take this beautiful picture?

[Stewart Low]

Hi,

I came across this photo and curious if someone can advise how this was taken as it is very rich and beautiful.

Appreciate that. Thanks

[RichardTaylor]

Bright sunny day and it appears the colour saturation has been boosted.

[Stewart Low]

I bought this photo CD when I was in Germany and all the photos in it has the same impact - very rich in colour and sharp and with sort of 3D effect. They must have use some special software to achieve this effect. Take a look at this one attached. How I wish I could produce such photos

[RichardTaylor]

The 3D effect is from having a foreground, middle ground and a background.
It is all sharp probably because a small aperture was used and possibly a view camera so the film is parallel to the subject.
They may have been using a polarising filter to darken the skies.

Most post processing software can give you the saturated look.

(1) Here is an example of mine.

[OsmosisStudios]

Sorry Richard, poor example.

There's definitely a circular polarizer being used, and the photos were likely taken midday during a bright sunny day: the sun stays up high in the sky so you get wicked strong skies with a polarizer.

[RichardTaylor]

If you want more of a blue sky example (instead of a saturated foreground, middle and background) here's one. I was using a polariser.

[BigFuzzy]

Very little "special" done here Steward.
Just a bright blue sky (probably with a polarizing filter) and lots of other color which was all saturated in post production.

And as noted, there is lots of foreground interest which is in focus which gives you a greater sense of depth (which is what I think you meant instead of 3d) which you achieve by using a very small aperture.

With the right conditions, it's easy to duplicate the colors/feel.. of course, the subject, composition and exposure has to still be done well, but I don't find either of those shots technically difficult at all.

[arlon]

In addition to what others have said..

Google "hyper focus technique" this can be very helpful when trying to get a lot of depth in focus (in addition to smaller aperture). Normally we loose a bit of useable depth of field with an AF approach and "hyper focus" helps us get it back.

[Stewart Low]

Rich,

I love the photo that you have taken. This is what I'm trying to achieve. Any particular setting on the camera that you have set? Is it possible to share the original so that I can see what has been touched up.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by RichardTaylor

The 3D effect is from having a foreground, middle ground and a background.
It is all sharp probably because a small aperture was used and possibly a view camera so the film is parallel to the subject.
They may have been using a polarising filter to darken the skies.

Most post processing software can give you the saturated look.

(1) Here is an example of mine.

[Stewart Low]

Rich,

Is this taken with HDR?